The bright lights along Highway 2 in Crookston, Minnesota are sure to stand out to anyone passing through. Instead of the glowing orange fixtures that are so common on nighttime drives, the Crookston lights emit a cool white glow that sets this stretch of road apart from the rest. The lights are actually light emitting diodes (LEDs) that the City of Crookston used to replace 165 street light heads that run along Highway 2 on the east and west sides of town.
Crookston, billed as the “friendly, safe and progressive community on the banks of the meandering Red Lake River,” explained on its website that they received $120,000 through an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to install the new fixtures as a way to reduce the town’s energy use. While the new LEDs have only been installed for about a year, Crookston’s Public Works Director Pat Kelly says that the project is already seen as a success. “We estimated an energy reduction around 10% and we are tracking exactly on that, we are seeing savings there,” explains Kelly. “Besides that, we are also looking at reduced labor expenditure, we don’t have to change out bulbs or buy bulbs, 15% of the total streetlight budget has been reduced.” This has added up to $21,000 in savings in a single year.
The high-pressure sodium lights that were replaced required 250 watts of electricity to power each fixture; the new LED fixtures illuminate the same amount of space using 188 watts per fixture. This was over a 20% reduction in the power used by each light. The potential energy savings were so significant that Otter Tail Power Company provided the City of Crookston with a $5,700 wattage-reduction rebate.
By installing the LEDs along Highway 2—the main drag through Crookston—the new lights benefit the most people. Chris Waltz, former Crookston Green Corp Volunteer, said that the city put up a few samples of the lights and got feedback from drivers before deciding to install them due to the positive feedback they heard. This step was important in justifying the cost of the project.
Although LED streetlights were rapidly falling in price at the time of the project, the fixtures cost nearly $600 each. Pat Kelly was pleased to say that the installation of the fixtures was not nearly as costly. “All we did was pulled the old lights off and attach the new wires,” explained Kelly, “From a labor standpoint it was pretty economical, the installation was the easiest part of the project. It only took two guys—an electrician and municipal worker—about 15 days to install all the lights.”
Besides helping the city save money through reduced energy bills, Kelly says that feedback from drivers has led to compliments about the light’s form along with their function. “There is quite a difference in aesthetics,” says Kelly. “It looks pretty neat, really futuristic.” The lights also address safety concerns that are an issue when driving a night. “A lot of people say that (the light) doesn’t distort colors,” the way the orange-hued sodium lights did. This improved clarity has resulted in drivers being able to more easily pick out landmarks and obstacles on the road.
When looking for ways to save money on energy efficiency, Waltz said, “Most people just look at (a financial) payback, 10 years give or take. But there are other factors that people don’t account for. For example, maintenance… these lights will last at least 5 years longer than the old lamps and save on the cost of disposal of the old lamps. There are many ways to justify a project.”
There are other LED installation projects in Minnesota, not just the one along Crookston’s Highway 2. Hennepin County and MNDOT are pushing for LED adoption, while many communities are testing street sections with smaller installations and monitoring the results. Right now, Crookston’s Highway 2 acts as a showcase for what the technology can do. “If you can reduce your energy footprint, you are reducing cost,” said Kelly, who explained the motivation behind choosing this project. “If you can do it so that you can provide the same service or better you really have to look into it.”
Project Snapshot:
- Total EECB Grant: $120,000
- Project details: 165 streetlight fixtures replaced; Light fixtures cost $595.00 each; Light fixture rated life span – 70,000 hours
- Savings: 15% reduction in total streetlight budget; $21,000 in a single year; 20% reduction in power used by each light
Other Local Government Energy Action Transportation and Infrastructure Stories:
- It’s roadwork season in Minnesota, with a healthy dose of energy efficiency
- What’s happenin’ in Hennepin? Hennepin County’s HVAC and lighting efficiency projects
- Saint Paul gets charged up for electric vehicles with solar-powered EV stations
About the Local Government Energy Action Series:
This year-long effort tells the stories of nearly 50 Minnesota municipalities, counties, and schools and the tangible results of their energy-saving efforts to inspire others to take their own actions.
Local Government Energy Action is brought to you by the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.
